Sports briefs for April 2, 2014

By Staff and Wire Service Reports, Special to the BDN •April 2, 2014 5:05 pm

Broncos sign Brunswick native to 1-year deal

The Denver Broncos agreed to terms with free agent center Will Montgomery on a one-year contract, the team announced Tuesday.

The 6-foot-3, 304-pound Montgomery made 63 starts (46 at center, 10 at right guard and seven at left guard) in eight seasons with the Carolina Panthers, New York Jets and Washington Redskins.

The seventh-round pick of the Panthers in 2006 started every game for the Redskins over his previous three years there.

Montgomery, a former Virginia Tech Hokie, was born Feb. 13, 1983, in Brunswick, Maine.

Toews out until playoffs, Blackhawks recall Nordstrom

The Chicago Blackhawks have decided to sit ailing center Jonathan Toews until the playoffs, and recalled forward Joakim Nordstrom from the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League to help fill the void.

Toews suffered a an upper-body injury when he was hit into the boards against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday, but Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said the move is more precautionary.

“He’s day to day,” Quenneville told reporters after Wednesday’s practice. “He’s going to be 100 percent for the playoffs. We’re not going to play him for the rest of these six games, so he’ll be ready to go.”

Toews is third on the team in goals (28) and tied for third in assists (40).

Jackson to receive three years, $24 million with Redskins

DeSean Jackson can earn $24 million on the three-year deal he signed Tuesday night with the Washington Redskins, a contract that will pay the former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver $16 million guaranteed.

“I’m happy about the situation I’m in here. At the end of the day, it’s all about winning in the NFL,” Jackson said during a conference call Wednesday.

According to reports, Jackson gets a $5 million signing bonus. His deal is technically for four years and $32 million where 2017 voids if he is on the roster five days after the 2016 Super Bowl.

Part of guaranteed $16 million is $6.25 million in workout bonuses and per-game roster bonuses in 2014-15. His base salaries of $1 million in 2014 and $3.75 million in 2015 are also guaranteed. The salary cap charge is $4.25 million this year.

Rice’s arraignment set for April 28

Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice, indicted on a felony aggravated assault charge, is scheduled to be arraigned April 28 at Atlantic County Superior Court in New Jersey.

Rice is accused of allegedly striking unconscious then-fiancee Janay Palmer on Feb. 15 at Revel Casino in Atlantic City, N.J. Rice and Palmer were married last Friday.

Rice was initially facing a simple assault-domestic violence charge, but he was indicted by a grand jury on March 27 on the more serious third-degree aggravated assault charge after the case was reviewed by the prosecutor’s office.

If convicted of aggravated assault, Rice could face between three and five years in jail. As a first-time offender, however, Rice could avoid jail time and may be eligible for a diversionary program.

Dodgers’ Wilson joins Kershaw on injury list

SAN DIEGO — The Los Angeles Dodgers received a double dose of bad pitching news Tuesday.

Two-time Cy Young Award-winning left-hander Clayton Kershaw will be on a “submaximal throwing program” for at least 2-3 weeks before his back strain will even be re-evaluated.

And right-handed reliever Brian Wilson went on the 15-day disabled list with a nerve impingement in the right elbow that underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2012.

“There is no timeline on Brian,” said Dodgers manager Don Mattingly after Tuesday’s 3-2 win over the Padres in San Diego.